"The Depot Theatre punches well above its weight, presenting well-produced, confidently performed shows that both entertain and inspire." WEEKEND NOTES

About The Depot Theatre

At The Depot Theatre, we aim to entertain, challenge and inspire audiences with performances that are accessible, affordable and – most importantly – a really fun night out.

We collaborate with and host an eclectic range of emerging and established independent theatre makers and cultural organisations to develop and stage a wide range of Australian and international works and events.

Our Mission

Provide new, inventive and thought‐provoking performances that appeal to a diverse range of audiences.

Collaborate with, showcase and provide opportunities for Sydney's independent arts practitioners.Deliver accessible and affordable productions and events that enable audiences to experience the thrill of live performance in a relaxed and fun environment.

Encourage audiences to reflect on and explore the contemporary human condition and their own creative potential.

Expand the vibrant Sydney arts scene and enhance the cultural life of its communities.

Background

Located in Sydney's inner west suburb of Marrickville, known for its vibrant street culture, multicultural influences, and buzzing music and arts scene, The Depot Theatre, founded by Julie Baz and David Jeffrey, is situated within and proudly supported by the historic Addison Road Centre, Sydney’s largest and oldest community centre, and a thriving hub for culture, arts and the environment visited by over 200,000 people annually.

The site was originally occupied by the Cadigal Wangal people who practised fire stick farming. In 1913, it became an army barracks and during WWII, our building was an X-Ray centre. The site was given to the community in 1975 and our building was the home of Sidetrack Theatre from the 1980s for 25 years.

Assisted by a grant-in-kind provided by the the Centre and contributions from our members and supporters including Kelly's Consultants, in the last year we have refurbished, reinvented and breathed new life into the venue. The theatre has gone from almost an empty shell to now consisting of a 49sqm stage area, fixed raked seating on two sides for 98 people, a lighting rig and desk, sound and AV equipment, a foyer, a rehearsal room and backstage areas.

Also thanks to subsidised rent provided by the Centre and cash and in-kind contributions from our members and supporters, we are able provide incoming theatre makers the full theatrical experience and the facilities to develop, rehearse and perform their productions to the highest level. In the last year, we have provided opportunities for hundreds of independent arts practitioners in the areas of performance, directing and production design and management.

If you're interested in staging a show at The Depot Theatre, look out for our 2018 Season Submission information call out around mid 2017.

Creative Team​

Julie Baz - Co-Artistic Director

Julie is the co-founder of The Depot Theatre. She previously co-founded Sydney Independent Theatre Company (SITCO), Sydney Shakespeare Festival and Go Theatre. For The Depot Theatre, Julie has co-curated and programmed over 30 productions. She has produced and directed US plays, The Big Meal by Dan LeFranc and Technicolor Life by Jami Brandli; UK classic Educating Rita by Willy Russell; Australian plays, Cristina in the Cupboard by Paul Gilchrist (2016), Plaything by award-winning comedy writer, Simon Dodd (2016), andThrough a Beaded Lash by Robert Allan (2015); Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen (2015) and The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov (2015). For SITCO in 2014, Julie produced the Australian double bill, The Les Robinson Story & Belle of the Cross by Kieran Carroll and Angelika Fremd, produced and directed the Pulitzer nominated THOM PAIN (based on nothing) by Will Eno. In 2013, she produced and directed the world premiere of Australian play, An Ordinary Person by Robert Allan, the world premiere of political satire, Friday by Daniela Giorgi, the Sydney premiere of Something Natural But Very Childish, an Australian play based on the stories of Katherine Mansfield written and adapted by Gary Abrahams. Julie also collaborated with over 25 independent theatre companies to program a range of productions during SITCO's residency at the Old Fitzroy Theatre from 2013-2014. Also for SITCO, Julie produced and directed the Sydney independent premiere of Andrew Bovell's multi-award winning Australian classic When the Rain Stops Falling, Willy Russell’s award winning masterpiece, Educating Rita and the world premieres of The Liar’s Bible by multi-award winning New Zealand Writer, Fiona Samuel and The Complete Package by new Australian writer, Robert Allan. For Sydney Shakespeare Festival, Julie produced and directed ten of Shakespeare’s classics between 2008-2013. In 2004, Julie established Glebe’s only currently operating theatre at The Roxbury Hotel with David Jeffrey. Together they converted an unused function room into one of Sydney’s popular theatre and comedy venues where they staged six productions under the banner of Go Theatre, including the Pulitzer prize winning, Boy’s Life by Howard Korder and the Australian premiere of Serial Killers by renowned New Zealand writer, James Griffin. From 2001 to 2004, Julie co-founded and directed The Actors Factory, an acting school and theatre company, where she co-produced and directed Lovepuke by Duncan Sarkies (2003), along with several student productions. She has a BA Communications (Film and Media Studies and Production) and has directed several short films including the award winning That Was… (1997).

David Jeffrey - Co-Artistic Director

David is co-founder of The Depot Theatre. He previously co-founded Sydney Independent Theatre Company (SITCO), Sydney Shakespeare Festival and Go Theatre. He has a diploma in film and television production and direction from the Academy of Photogenic Arts (1992). For The Depot Theatre, David has co-curated and programmed over 30 productions. He produced and designed US plays, The Big Meal by Dan LeFranc and Technicolor Life by Jami Brandli; UK classic Educating Rita by Willy Russell; Australian plays, Cristina in the Cupboard by Paul Gilchrist (2016), Plaything by award-winning comedy writer, Simon Dodd (2016), and Through a Beaded Lash by Robert Allan (2015); ​Ghosts by Henrik IbsenThe Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov. Recent theatre design and producer credits during SITCO's residency at the Old Fitzroy Theatre from 2013-2014 include The Les Robinson Story & Belle of the Cross, THOM PAIN (based on nothing), An Ordinary Person by Robert Allan, Friday by Daniela Giorgi, Something Natural But Very Childish written and adapted by Gary Abrahams. David also collaborated with over 25 independent theatre companies to program a range of productions during SITCO's residency at the Old Fitzroy Theatre from 2013-2014. Also for SITCO, design and producer credits include When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell, Educating Rita by Willy Russell (2012) and the world premieres of The Liar’s Bible by Fiona Samuel (2012) and The Complete Package by Robert Allan (2011). For Sydney Shakespeare Festival, David has produced and designed Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like It (2013), Hamlet and The Taming of the Shrew (2012), A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet (2011), Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice (2010), Macbeth and The Comedy of Errors (2009) and Much Ado About Nothing in 2008. In 2004, David established Glebe’s only currently operating theatre at The Roxbury Hotel in Glebe with Julie Baz. Together they converted an unused function room into one of Sydney’s renowned theatre and comedy venues where they staged six productions under the banner of Go Theatre. For Go Theatre, David co-produced and designed Two by Jim Cartwright (2006), The Dining Room by A. R. Gurney (2006), Boys Life by Howard Korder (2005), Departures and Arrivals by Carol Shields (2005) and the Australian premiere of Serial Killers by James Griffin (2005). David also co-founded The Actor’s Factory, an acting school and theatre company, where he co-produced and designed Lovepuke by Duncan Sarkies (2003), along with several student productions.

Robert Allan - Artistic Associate

Robert studied playwriting at Griffin Theatre and NIDA Open, and has a degree in Theatre Studies and Psychology from the University of NSW. His latest full-lenth work Through a Beaded Lash was staged by The Depot Theatre in 2015. His other full-length works, An Ordinary Person (2013) and The Complete Package (2011), were produced by Sydney Independent Theatre Company (SITCO) and have been published by the Australian Script Centre. His short plays Serenity (2011) and Something to do with Toads (2010) were produced by Short & Sweet (Sydney). Robert studied acting at the Ensemble Studios in the 1980’s and after years of struggling to find a career in the performing arts, discovered there were equally important ways to make a positive contribution to the world. He went on to a 20 year career in statutory children protection where he directed his energies to improving the lives of children, young people and their families. Robert now divides his time between writing and working as a private consultant for the government and non-government community sectors.